Silymarin inhibits dermal gelatinolytic activity and reduces cutaneous inflammation

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is well-known for its antioxidant activity due to the presence of silymarin. Albeit some studies show a potential for skin inflammation, its activity against dermal MMP-9 and MMP-2 remains to be studied. Silymarin isolated from an S. marianum herbal extract was tested for gelatinase inhibition in the presence of isolated MMP-9 and in dermal adenocarcinome HaCaT cells. Silymarin was then further tested in vivo, using a cutaneous inflammation mice model mediated by reactive oxygen species. Silymarin was able to significantly inhibit gelatinolytic activity in vitro without impairing cell growth and viability. Furthermore, inhibition was more pronounced in cells than with the isolated gelatinase, suggesting an additional effect upon metabolic pathways. In vivo, silymarin was able to reduce ear edema up to 74% and attenuated histological lesions. Results highlight silymarin potential for application in skin inflammatory disorders via gelatinase inhibition.

Lower adiponectin is associated with higher anthropometry and insulin resistance but not with low cardiorespiratory fitness in adolescents

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between adiposity, cardiometabolic risk and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) according to different groups of adiponectin concentration.

METHODS

255 adolescents of both sexes, aged 11-17 years old, participated. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters such as body mass, height, abdominal circumference (AC), waist circumference (WC), fat mass, fat-free mass, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-c), triglycerides (TG), glucose, insulin, adiponectin, blood pressure, peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) were measured. Body mass index (BMI), z-score BMI (BMI-z), triponderal mass index (TMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), homeostasis model to assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) were calculated. Adiponectin was categorized: low adiponectin concentration (LAC  ≤ 5.18 µg/mL-1), intermediate (IAC = 5.18 and 7.63 µg/mL-1) and high (HAC ≥ 7.63 µg/ml-1).

RESULTS

LAC showed higher BMI, BMI-z and TMI than the other groups (p < 0.05) and higher AC, WC and WHtR that the HAC (p < 0.05). IAC showed lower values of TC, LDL-c and TG, and the LAC presented the highest values of insulin, HOMA-IR and QUICKI (p < 0.05) to the IAC and HAC. HAC presented the lower VO2peak than the other groups (p < 0.01). BMI, TMI, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR showed inverse, and QUICKI a direct and weak correlation with adiponectin (p < 0.05). No significant association was found between adiponectin and VO2peak (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The LAC group had higher means in the anthropometric variables and the worst results related to insulin resistance and sensitivity. Thus, adiponectin may play an important role in obesity and reduced concentration may be a factor in the development of obesity-associated morbidities.

From Data to Insights: How Is AI Revolutionizing Small-Bowel Endoscopy?

The role of capsule endoscopy and enteroscopy in managing various small-bowel pathologies is well-established. However, their broader application has been hampered mainly by their lengthy reading times. As a result, there is a growing interest in employing artificial intelligence (AI) in these diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, driven by the prospect of overcoming some major limitations and enhancing healthcare efficiency, while maintaining high accuracy levels. In the past two decades, the applicability of AI to gastroenterology has been increasing, mainly because of the strong imaging component. Nowadays, there are a multitude of studies using AI, specifically using convolutional neural networks, that prove the potential applications of AI to these endoscopic techniques, achieving remarkable results. These findings suggest that there is ample opportunity for AI to expand its presence in the management of gastroenterology diseases and, in the future, catalyze a game-changing transformation in clinical activities. This review provides an overview of the current state-of-the-art of AI in the scope of small-bowel study, with a particular focus on capsule endoscopy and enteroscopy.

A pro-BMP function exerted by Rhodnius prolixus short gastrulation reveals great diversity in the role of BMP modulators during embryonic patterning

Dorsal-ventral (DV) patterning is regulated by the bone morphogenetic pathway (BMP) in Bilateria. In insect DV patterning, the Toll pathway also plays a role, in addition to BMPs. Variations in the relative importance of each pathway for DV patterning have been reported using single species of coleopteran, hymenopteran, hemipteran and orthopteran insects. To investigate if the molecular control of DV patterning is conserved inside an insect order, the emergent model hemiptera species Rhodnius prolixus was studied. We found that R. prolixus BMP pathway controls the entire DV axis, with a broader effect respective to Toll, as shown for the hemiptera Oncopeltus fasciatus. Different from O. fasciatus, the unique R. prolixus short gastrulation (sog) and the twisted gastrulation (tsg) orthologues do not antagonize, but rather favour embryonic BMP signalling. Our results reinforce the hypothesis that hemiptera rely preferentially on BMPs for DV patterning but that, surprisingly, in R. prolixus Sog and Tsg proteins exert only a positive role to establish a dorsal-to-ventral BMP gradient. Since sog has been reported to be lost from orthopteran and hymenopteran genomes, our results indicate that Sog's role to modify BMP activity varies greatly in different insect species.

New Alternatives to Milk From Pulses: Chickpea and Lupin Beverages With Improved Digestibility and Potential Bioactivities for Human Health

There is a strong demand for plant-based milk substitutes, often low in protein content (&lt;1.5% w/v). Protein-rich pulse seeds and the right processing technologies make it possible to make relevant choices. The major objective of this study was to assess the impact of processing on the nutritional characteristics of beverages with a high impact on health, in particular on digestibility and specific bioactivities. The results suggest that pulse beverages are as high in protein content (3.24% w/v for chickpea and 4.05% w/v for lupin) as cow’s milk. The anti-nutrient level characteristics of pulses have been considerably reduced by strategic processing. However, when present in small quantities, some of these anti-nutritional factors may have health benefits. Controlling processing conditions play a crucial role in this fine balance as a tool to take advantage of their health benefits. There is evidence of protein hydrolysis by in vitro digestion and limited bioaccessibility of minerals. In addition to being highly digestible, lupin and chickpea beverages have anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic potential evaluated through the inhibition of metalloproteinase MMP-9.

Responsiveness on metabolic syndrome criteria and hepatic parameters after 12 weeks and 24 weeks of multidisciplinary intervention in overweight adolescents

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the effect and individual responsiveness after 12 (12wk) and 24 weeks (24wk) of physical exercise (PE) and nutritional guidance (NG) on metabolic syndrome (MetS) criteria and hepatic parameters in overweight adolescents.

METHODS

The study comprised 94 overweight adolescents, aged between 10 and 16 years old, from both sexes, allocated into groups: PE and NG (PENGG, n = 64) and control with NG (NGCG, n = 30). Variables were collected at baseline, 12wk, and 24wk. Weight, height, abdominal circumference (AC), blood pressure, and peak oxygen consumption (VO_2peak), as well as insulin, triglycerides (TAG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-c), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were evaluated. HOMA-IR and QUICKI were calculated. PE session consisted of 45 min of indoor cycling, 45 min of walking, and 20 min of stretching, three times a week. The NG consisted of three collective sessions in the first 12wk. Anova, effect size, and prevalence of responders were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The PENGG12wk reduced anthropometric and metabolic measurements, while increased VO_2peak and HDL-c. The PEG24wk promoted anthropometric, blood pressure, metabolic, and VO_2peak improvements, but participants without PE returned to pre-exercise status and presented worsening AST and ALT concentrations. Frequencies of respondents in PENGG12wk versus (vs) NGCG12wk were, respectively, AC (69.1% vs 17.6%, p < 0.01), HDL-c (87.2% vs 23.5%, p < 0.01), TAG (67.3% vs 41.7%, p = 0.05) and ALT (45.5% vs 5,9%; p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

Interventions with PE were effective to reduce MetS components in 12wk and maintenance in 24wk, showing anthropometric, metabolic, and VO_2peak improvements. Higher individual responses were observed in 12wk and in 24wk, important changes in overweight adolescent's therapy.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level I, evidence obtained from well-designed controlled trials randomization.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER AND DATE OF REGISTRATION

Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (RBR-4v6h7b) and date of registration April 4th, 2020.

Extended Cheese Whey Fermentation Produces a Novel Casein-Derived Antibacterial Polypeptide That Also Inhibits Gelatinases MMP-2 and MMP-9

Our previous works produced a whey fermentation methodology that yielded antibacterial activity and potential inhibition of matrix metalloproteases (MMP)-2 and -9. Here, we evaluated if these activities were due to fermentation-produced peptides. Prolonged fermentation was carried out in the presence of our specific lactic acid bacteria (LAB) consortium. LAB fermentation yielded a total of 11 polypeptides, which were predominantly produced after 6 days of fermentation. One which was derived from beat casein presented a particularly high antibacterial activity against food pathogenic bacteria and was more effective than standard food disinfectants. This polypeptide was further studied and was also found to be active against several strains of pathogenic bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), in a dose-dependent manner. It also inhibited MMP-2 and MMP-9 whilst reducing HT29 cancer cell migration in vitro. Overall, this novel whey-derived polypeptide presents dual antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity, revealing a strong potential to be used in functional foods or as a nutraceutical. Its identification and further characterization can open novel perspectives in the field of preventive/curative diets related to gut microbiota, gut inflammation, and cancer prevention, particularly if used in in vivo studies.

Technological Potential of a Lupin Protein Concentrate as a Nutraceutical Delivery System in Baked Cookies

Previous reports have shown that lupin protein extracts (LE) contain a polypeptide named deflamin with a potent matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 inhibitory activity. The aim of our study was to develop an efficient delivery method for incorporating deflamin into cookies using different alternative flours. A lupin protein concentrate (10 g protein/100 g cookie dough) was added to gluten and gluten-free flours to produce savoury cookies, and its impacts on the physical properties of doughs and cookies, as well on the maintenance of deflamin's anti-MMP-9 activity, were analysed. The results showed that the biochemical compositions of all cookies with LE presented higher protein and ash contents when compared to the control cookies. Rice, buckwheat and oat doughs were firmer than the others, whereas the addition of LE to kamut and buckwheat flours made cookies significantly firmer than the controls. Additionally, strong interactions between LE and several flours were observed, yielding different impacts on the MMP-9 bioactivity. Overall, the only flour that did not interfere with the desired nutraceutical activities was buckwheat, with 60% MMP-9 inhibitory activity and a concomitant reduction of colon cancer migration; hence, buckwheat flour was revealed to be a good vehicle to deliver bioactive deflamin, showing strong potential as a functional food to be used in preventive or curative approaches to gastrointestinal diseases.

An Up-Scalable and Cost-Effective Methodology for Isolating a Polypeptide Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Inhibitor from Lupinus albus Seeds

One of the most challenging problems with food-borne bioactive compounds is that there are commonly no cost-effective, generally recognized as safe (GRAS) methods for obtaining gram quantities of their purified forms. Here we aimed at developing a method to isolate deflamin, an oligomeric protein from lupin seeds with anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity through matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-9 inhibition. Our goal was to develop a GRAS method that could be easily up-scalable whilst maintaining deflamin’s activity. A sequential precipitation methodology was developed, using an aqueous extraction, followed by heat denaturation, acid precipitation and solubilization in ethanol. A final precipitation with 90% ethanol yielded a purified protein which was sequenced through mass spectrometry and tested for its MMP inhibitory activity using the Dye-quenched (DQ) gelatin assay and the standard wound healing assay in HT29 cells. The developed method yielded a purified oligomer, which represented 0.1% (w/w) of total dry seed weight and was positively confirmed to be deflamin. It further showed to effectively reduce MMP-9 gelatinolytic activity as well as colon cancer cell migration, hence corroborating the effectiveness of our method. Overall, this is the first reported method for isolating an MMP-9 inhibitor from legume seeds, which is up-scalable to an industrial level, in a cost-effective manner.

Electroconvulsive therapy use in psychiatric hospitalizations - a nationwide descriptive study

Introduction

Despite being one of the oldest treatments in the field of Psychiatry, Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is used worldwide for various severe and treatment-resistant psychiatric disorders, establishing itself as one of the fastest and most effective treatments.

Objectives

The primary aim of this study was to describe a nationwide epidemiological perspective of the use of ECT in hospitalized psychiatric patients. The secondary aims were to characterize clinical and sociodemographic trends of hospitalized patients who needed ECT.

Methods

A retrospective-observational study was conducted using an administrative database which gathered all hospitalizations registered in Portuguese public hospitals from 2008 to 2015. We selected all hospitalizations with a procedure code 94.27 - Other electroshock therapy defined by the International Classification of Diseases version-9, Clinical Modification.The variables included in the study were birth date, sex, residence address, primary and secondary diagnoses, admission date, discharge date, length of stay (LoS), discharge status from each single hospitalization episode.

Results

There were a total of 879 hospitalizations with ECT during the 8-year period of the study. Most of the hospitalizations occurred in female patients (53.4 vs 46.6%), belonging to the age group of 51-70 years old, with a mean age of 50.5 years old. The median LoS was 43.0 days with an IQR of 27.0-68.0 days. The specific primary diagnosis most frequent in all hospitalizations was Major depressive disorder, recurrent episode representing 19.6% of all ECT related hospitalizations.

Conclusions

In Portugal most of the patients who received ECT were women above middle age, and depressive disorders were the most common indication.

Physical exercise for individuals with dementia: potential benefits perceived by formal caregivers

Background

The social and economic impact of dementia for the development of accessible and sustainable care for individuals with dementia (IwD). Physical exercise has been seen as a beneficial non-pharmacological therapy in the prevention and management of dementia, and possible benefits may not only impact on participants, but also indirectly on their caregivers. Thus, this quasi-experimental non-randomized study aimed to analyze the effects of an exercise intervention on functional capacity, behavioural and psychological symptoms in dementia (BPSD) and quality of life of institutionalized older adults with dementia, perceived by their formal caregivers.

Methods

Sixty-four institutionalized older adults (from both genders, aged 65–93 yrs. old), clinically diagnosed with dementia, were divided into two groups: control group (CG, continued with usual care, n = 26) and exercise group (EG, 6-month supervised multicomponent exercise intervention, n = 38). Nine caregivers (female, aged 28–47 yrs. old) from nine different nursing homes, reported about their distress related to BPSD and proxy-reported about participants’ functional capacity (Katz index), quality of life (QoL-AD), BPSD (NPI) before and after 6 months of an exercise intervention (aerobic, muscular resistance, flexibility and postural exercises).

Results

A two-way ANOVA, with repeated measures, revealed significant group and time interactions on Total Katz index and QoL-AD. The CG’s performance functional capacity and quality of life score worsen over time while in EG maintains these values after the exercise intervention. Moreover, formal caregiver’s distress triggered by apathy and disinhibition increased in CG while after 6 months of an exercise intervention no alterations were seen regarding these distress causes in EG. No significant main effects were observed for total NPI score or NPI distress.

Conclusions

Overall results show that after the exercise intervention, IwD from the EG, was capable of preserving the functional capacity, quality of life and neuropsychiatric symptoms were attenuate, contributing to a lower load of distress for the caregivers.

Trial registration

clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04095962. Retrospectively registered on 19 September 2019

Physical fitness in institutionalized older adults with dementia: association with cognition, functional capacity and quality of life

This cross-sectional study investigated the association of physical fitness with cognitive function, functional capacity and quality of life among institutionalized older adults with dementia. One hundred and two older adults aged 78.0 ± 8.4 years, predominantly female (67.6%), with neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) (49.2%), vascular dementia (14.7%), Parkinson’s disease (2%), dementia with Lewy bodies (2%) or unspecified dementia (32.1%) participated in the present study. Regression analyses were used to examine associations between physical fitness components (Senior Fitness Test) and cognitive function (Mini-Mental State Examination), functional capacity (Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living) and Quality of Life (QoL)-Alzheimer's Disease scale. Univariate regression indicates that strength, flexibility, agility/dynamic balance and aerobic endurance are relevant for cognitive function, physical capacity and perceived QoL in institutionalized older people with dementia. After multiple regression analyses, adjusted for body mass index (BMI), results showed that aerobic endurance had a significant positive association with Total Katz Index. For both, caregiver perception of QoL-AD and global QoL-AD, BMI remained significantly and positively associated. Agility–dynamic balance presented a significant negative relation with global QoL-AD. Overall, our findings suggest that better physical fitness is important for cognition and autonomous functional capacity and that it has positive repercussions on the QoL in institutionalized older adults with dementia. Consequently, exercise-based therapeutic strategies aiming to improve physical fitness should be implemented.

Glycemic Response and Bioactive Properties of Gluten-Free Bread with Yoghurt or Curd-Cheese Addition

The influence of flour replacement by yogurt or curd-cheese additions (from 10% to 20%, w/w) on the glycemic response and bioactivity improvements of gluten-free bread was evaluated. Starch digestibility, measured by an in vitro digestion model, was applied to determine the effect on starch fractions. The bread glycemic index was calculated. Bread antioxidant capacity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) and ferric-ion-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods) and total phenolic compounds were assessed. Anti-inflammatory properties according to enzymatic matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 inhibitory activity were also studied. Considering the higher level of both dairy products tested (20%, w/w) and comparing with control bread results, a reduction of around 35% in the glycemic response of curd cheese bread was achieved, resulting in intermediate index level (glycemic index (GI) 55-69), with yogurt bread still showing a high glycemic index (GI > 70). In terms of bread bioactivity, curd cheese bread expressed better reducing power effects, whereas yogurt bread showed more effective radical-scavenging capacity. An increase in bread phenolic compounds by yogurt (55.3%) and curd cheese (73.0%) additions (at 20%) were also registered. MMP-9 inhibition activity was higher in the dairy bread than in control bread, suggesting an improvement in terms of anti-inflammatory properties. The supplementation of the gluten-free bread by yogurt or curd cheese was shown to be a promising strategy to reduce the glycemic response and to improve the bioactive properties of the bread, that which can contribute to preventive diets of celiac patients and irritable bowel syndrome individuals.

Lupin Seed Protein Extract Can Efficiently Enrich the Physical Properties of Cookies Prepared with Alternative Flours

Legume proteins can be successfully used in bakery foods, like cookies, to obtain a protein-enriched product. A lupin extract (10 g/100 g) was added to gluten and gluten-free flours from different sources: rice, buckwheat, oat, kamut and spelt. The impact on the physical properties of the dough and cookies was evaluated for the different systems. Rice and buckwheat doughs were 20% firmer and 40% less cohesive than the others. The incorporation of lupin extract had a reduced impact on the shape parameters of the cookies, namely in terms of area and thickness. The texture differed over time and after eight weeks, the oat and buckwheat cookies enriched with lupin extract were significantly firmer than the cookies without lupin. The incorporation of lupin extract induced a certain golden-brown coloring on the cookies, making them more appealing: lightness (L*) values decreased, generally, for the cookies with lupin extract when compared to the controls. The aw and moisture content values were very low for all samples, suggesting a high stability food product. Hence, the addition of lupin extract brought some technological changes in the dough and cookies in all the flours tested but improved the final product quality which aligns with the trends in the food industry.

Assessment of the Potential Skin Application of Plectranthus ecklonii Benth

Plectranthus ecklonii Benth. has widespread ethnobotanical use in African folk medicine for its medicinal properties in skin conditions. In this study, two different basic formulations containing P. ecklonii extracts were prepared, one in an organic solvent and the other using water. The aqueous extract only contained rosmarinic acid (RA) at 2.02 mM, and the organic extract contained RA and parvifloron D at 0.29 and 3.13 mM, respectively. RA in aqueous solution permeated skin; however, in P. ecklonii organic extract, this was not detected. Thus, P. ecklonii aqueous extract was further studied and combined with benzophenone-4, which elevated the sun protection factor (SPF) by 19.49%. No significant cytotoxic effects were observed from the aqueous extract. The Staphylococcus epidermidis strain was used to determine a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 10 µg·mL⁻¹. The aqueous extract inhibited the activity of acetylcholinesterase by 59.14 ± 4.97%, and the IC₅₀ value was 12.9 µg·mL⁻¹. The association of the P. ecklonii extract with a UV filter substantially elevated its SPF efficacy. Following the multiple bioactivities of the extract and its active substances, a finished product could be claimed as a multifunctional cosmeceutical with broad skin valuable effects, from UV protection to antiaging action.

Measurement of local resolution in electron tomography

Resolution (global and local) is one of the most reported metrics of quality measurement in Single Particle Analysis (SPA). However, in electron tomography, the situation is different and its computation is not straightforward. Typically, resolution estimation is global and, therefore, reduces the assessment of a whole tomogram to a single number. However, it is known that tomogram quality is spatially variant. Still, up to our knowledge, a method to estimate local quality metrics in tomography is lacking. This work introduces MonoTomo, a method developed to estimate locally in a tomogram the highest reliable frequency component, expressed as a form of local resolution. The fundamentals lie in a local analysis of the density map via monogenic signals, which, in analogy to MonoRes, allows for local estimations. Results with experimental data show that the local resolution range that MonoTomo casts agrees with reported resolution values for experimental data sets, with the advantage of providing a local estimation. A range of applications of MonoTomo are suggested for further exploration.

Flexible workflows for on-the-fly electron-microscopy single-particle image processing using Scipion

Electron microscopy of macromolecular structures is an approach that is in increasing demand in the field of structural biology. The automation of image acquisition has greatly increased the potential throughput of electron microscopy. Here, the focus is on the possibilities in Scipion to implement flexible and robust image-processing workflows that allow the electron-microscope operator and the user to monitor the quality of image acquisition, assessing very simple acquisition measures or obtaining a first estimate of the initial volume, or the data resolution and heterogeneity, without any need for programming skills. These workflows can implement intelligent automatic decisions and they can warn the user of possible acquisition failures. These concepts are illustrated by analysis of the well known 2.2 Å resolution β-galactosidase data set.

Associations between anthropometric indicators in early life and low-grade inflammation, insulin resistance and lipid profile in adolescence

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The long-term relations between excessive adiposity in early childhood and unfavourable cardiometabolic profiles in later ages are not yet completely understood. We aimed to assess the associations between birth weight (BW) and BMI from 6 months to 6 years of age, with biomarkers indicative of low-grade inflammation, insulin resistance and lipid profiles in adolescence.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Retrospective school-based study with 415 Portuguese adolescents (220 girls), mean age of 14.08 ± 1.6 years old. Anthropometric data from birth to 6 years old was extracted from individual child health book records. Actual weight and height were measured and BMI calculated. Participants were classified at each time point as normal weight or overweight according to WHO reference values. Biomarkers were obtained from venous blood samples. Linear regressions were used to explore the associations between the biomarkers and early life anthropometric indicators. From 2 years onwards, BMI associated positively with the inflammatory score and HOMA-IR in adolescence. Children who were overweight/obese from 2 to 6 years of age presented significantly higher inflammatory score and HOMA-IR later in adolescence. TC/HDL ratio was also positively associated with BMI from the age of 5 years onwards. The associations between BMI and cardiometabolic outcomes remained positive in adolescence, with overweight adolescents presenting a higher inflammatory score, HOMA-IR and TC/HDL than normal weight adolescents.

CONCLUSION

A high BMI from an early age was consistently associated with worse inflammatory and lipid profiles and insulin resistance in adolescence. No associations were found between BW and the same studied outcomes.

Survey of the analysis of continuous conformational variability of biological macromolecules by electron microscopy

Single-particle analysis by electron microscopy is a well established technique for analyzing the three-dimensional structures of biological macromolecules. Besides its ability to produce high-resolution structures, it also provides insights into the dynamic behavior of the structures by elucidating their conformational variability. Here, the different image-processing methods currently available to study continuous conformational changes are reviewed.

Using Scipion for stream image processing at Cryo-EM facilities

Three dimensional electron microscopy is becoming a very data-intensive field in which vast amounts of experimental images are acquired at high speed. To manage such large-scale projects, we had previously developed a modular workflow system called Scipion (de la Rosa-Trevín et al., 2016). We present here a major extension of Scipion that allows processing of EM images while the data is being acquired. This approach helps to detect problems at early stages, saves computing time and provides users with a detailed evaluation of the data quality before the acquisition is finished. At present, Scipion has been deployed and is in production mode in seven Cryo-EM facilities throughout the world.

Fruit, vegetable consumption and blood pressure in healthy adolescents: A longitudinal analysis from the LabMed study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The associations between fruit and vegetable consumption and high blood pressure among adults are well studied. Nonetheless, data on the influence of a low consumption of fruit and vegetables on cardiovascular disease risk, particularly blood pressure, among healthy adolescents are scarce. Therefore, we aim to analyse the associations between fruit and/or vegetable intake and blood pressure over a two-year period in healthy adolescents.

METHODS AND RESULTS

As part of a cohort, 606 adolescents from the LabMed Physical Activity study were evaluated in 2011 (baseline) and 2013 (follow-up). Blood pressure was measured according to standardized procedures and fruit and vegetable consumption was assessed with a food frequency questionnaire. Anthropometric variables, socioeconomic status, pubertal stage and lifestyle determinants were gathered and used as confounders. Prospective associations between fruit and/or vegetable intake and blood pressure were examined using generalized linear models. Girls who consumed more fruit at baseline had a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure at follow-up [unstandardized beta: -0.005 mmHg (95%CI: -0.01; -0.0002) (p = 0.038)].

CONCLUSION

In apparently healthy adolescents, fruit intake may already start to have an effect in blood pressure. Girls who consumed more fruit exhibited lower levels of diastolic blood pressure.

Longitudinal association between ideal cardiovascular health status and muscular fitness in adolescents: The LabMed Physical Activity Study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Muscular fitness is an emerging predictor for cardiovascular disease mortality. The ideal cardiovascular health metrics has been inversely related to a subsequent cardiometabolic health in adulthood. However, evidence regarding muscular fitness and ideal cardiovascular health in adolescents is scarce. This study aimed to examine the longitudinal association between ideal cardiovascular health index and muscular fitness.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This study cohort consisted of 331 adolescents (183 girls) from the LabMed Physical Activity Study who were followed from 2011 to 2013. Ideal cardiovascular health, as defined by the American Heart Association, was determined as meeting ideal health factors (total cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose) and behaviors (smoking status, body mass index, physical activity, and diet). Handgrip strength and standing long jump tests assessed muscular fitness and were transformed into standardized values according to age and sex. ANCOVA showed a significant association between the accumulation of ideal cardiovascular health metrics at baseline and muscular fitness indices at follow-up (F_{(4, 322)} = 2.280, p = 0.04). In addition, the higher the number of ideal cardiovascular health metrics accumulated, the higher the likelihood of having a high muscular fitness over a two-year period (p for trend = 0.01), after adjustments for age, sex, pubertal stage and socioeconomic status and muscular fitness at baseline.

CONCLUSION

The ideal cardiovascular health status during adolescence was associated with high muscular fitness levels over a two-year period.

Extraction Optimization and Structural and Thermal Characterization of the Antimicrobial Abietane 7α-Acetoxy-6β-hydroxyroyleanone

The abietane 7α-acetoxy-6β-hydroxyroyleanone (AHR), obtained from plant extracts, is an attractive lead for drug development, given its known antimicrobial properties. Two basic requirements to establish any compound as a new drug are the development of a convenient extraction process and the characterization of its structural and thermal properties. In this work seven different methods were tested to optimize the extraction of AHR from Plectranthus grandidentatus. Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) proved to be the method of choice, delivering an amount of AHR (57.351 μg·mg^-1) approximately six times higher than the second best method (maceration in acetone; 9.77 μg·mg^-1). Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of the ARH molecular and crystal structure carried out at 167 ± 2 K and 296 ± 2 K showed only a single phase, here dubbed form III (orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2), at those temperatures. The presence of two other polymorphs above room temperature was, however, evidenced by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The three forms are enantiotropically related, with the form III → form II and form II → form I transitions occurring at 333.5 ± 1.6 K and 352.0 ± 1.6 K, respectively. The fact that the transitions are reversible suggests that polymorphism is not likely to be an issue in the development pharmaceutical formulations based on ARH. DSC experiments also showed that the compound decomposes on melting at 500.8 ± 0.8 K. Melting should therefore be avoided if, for example, strategies to improve solubility based on the production of glassy materials or solid dispersions are considered.

Oxidation of winery wastewater by sulphate radicals: catalytic and solar photocatalytic activations

The treatment of winery effluents through sulphate radical-based advanced oxidation processes (SR-AOPs) driven by solar radiation is reported in this study. Photolytic and catalytic activations of peroxymonosulphate (PMS) and persulphate (KPS and SPS) at different pH values (4.5 and 7) were studied in the degradation of organic matter. Portugal is one of the largest wine producers in Europe. The wine making activities generate huge volume of effluents characterized by a variable volume and organic load, being their seasonal nature one of the most important drawbacks. Recently, SR-AOPs are gradually attracting attention as in situ chemical oxidation technologies, instead of hydroxyl radical AOPs (HR-AOPs). The studied concentrations are suitable to obtain notable values of organic matter degradation, with TOC removal around 50%. In general terms, no notable differences were observed between treatments at pH values 4.5 and 7. Photolytic activation of SPS with solar radiation treatments obtained the highest efficiency (28 and 40% of TOC removal with 1 and 50 mM, respectively, at pH 4.5) in comparison to KPS and PMS. The addition of a transition metal as catalyst, such as Fe(II) or Co(II), increased considerably the TOC removal efficiency higher than 50%, but not in all cases. For instance, the combination KPS or PMS with Co(II) at pH 4.5 did not allow to obtain better results than photolytic activation of these persulphate salts. In summary, the use of SR-AOPs could be a serious alternative as tertiary treatment for winery wastewaters.

Muscular fitness, adherence to the Southern European Atlantic Diet and cardiometabolic risk factors in adolescents

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Muscular fitness and an adherence to the Southern European Atlantic Diet (SEADiet) have been inversely associated with cardiometabolic risk. Our aim was to assess the independent and combined associations of muscular fitness and adherence to the SEADiet on cardiometabolic risk in adolescents.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 467 Portuguese adolescents (275 girls) participated in this cross-sectional study. Sum of the Z-Scores of Curl-Up and Push-Up tests was used to create a muscular fitness score. Adherence to SEADiet was obtained using a food frequency questionnaire. A cardiometabolic risk score was computed from sum of Z-score of triglycerides, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol/HDL ratio, HOMA-IR and waist circumference. Adolescents with low muscular fitness and low adherence to the SEADiet had the poorest cardiovascular profile F_(5, 452) = 5.074 (p < 0.001) and the highest odds of having a high cardiometabolic risk score (OR = 4.5; 95% CI: 2.1-14) when compared to those with High muscular fitness/High adherence to the SEADiet after adjustments for age, sex, pubertal stage, socioeconomic status, total energy intake, low-energy reporter and cardiorespiratory fitness.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings seem suggest that improving muscular fitness as well as an adherence to the SEADiet could be an important strategy to reduce clustered cardiometabolic risk in youth.

Adiposity as a full mediator of the influence of cardiorespiratory fitness and inflammation in schoolchildren: The FUPRECOL Study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Studies in the paediatric population have shown inconsistent associations between cardiorespiratory fitness and inflammation independently of adiposity. The purpose of this study was (i) to analyse the combined association of cardiorespiratory fitness and adiposity with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and (ii) to determine whether adiposity acts as a mediator on the association between cardiorespiratory fitness and hs-CRP in children and adolescents.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This cross-sectional study included 935 (54.7% girls) healthy children and adolescents from Bogotá, Colombia. The 20 m shuttle run test was used to estimate cardiorespiratory fitness. We assessed the following adiposity parameters: body mass index, waist circumference, and fat mass index and the sum of subscapular and triceps skinfold thickness. High sensitivity assays were used to obtain hs-CRP. Linear regression models were fitted for mediation analyses examined whether the association between cardiorespiratory fitness and hs-CRP was mediated by each of adiposity parameters according to Baron and Kenny procedures. Lower levels of hs-CRP were associated with the best schoolchildren profiles (high cardiorespiratory fitness + low adiposity) (p for trend <0.001 in the four adiposity parameters), compared with unfit and overweight (low cardiorespiratory fitness + high adiposity) counterparts. Linear regression models suggest a full mediation of adiposity on the association between cardiorespiratory fitness and hs-CRP levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings seem to emphasize the importance of obesity prevention in childhood, suggesting that having high levels of cardiorespiratory fitness may not counteract the negative consequences ascribed to adiposity on hs-CRP.

Exercise, adipokines and pediatric obesity: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

Adipokines are involved in the etiology of diabetes, insulin resistance, and the development of atherosclerosis and other latent-onset complications. The objective of this meta-analysis was to determine the effectiveness of exercise interventions on adipokines in pediatric obesity.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

A computerized search was made using three databases. The analysis was restricted to studies that examined the effect of exercise interventions on adipokines (adiponectin, leptin, resistin and visfatin) in pediatric obesity (6-18 years old). Fourteen randomized controlled trials (347 youths) were included. Weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.

RESULTS

Exercise was associated with a significant increase in adiponectin (WMD=0.882 μg ml-1, 95% CI, 0.271-1.493) but did not alter leptin and resistin level. Likewise, exercise intensity and change in body fat; as well as total exercise program duration, duration of the sessions, and change in body fat all significantly influenced the effect of exercise on adiponectin and leptin, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Exercise seems to increase adiponectin levels in childhood obesity. Our results also suggested that exercise on its own, without the concomitant presence of changes in body composition levels, does not affect leptin levels.

Dyospiros kaki phenolics inhibit colitis and colon cancer cell proliferation, but not gelatinase activities

Polyphenols from persimmon (Diospyros kaki) have demonstrated radical-scavenging and antiinflammatory activities; however, little is known about the effects of persimmon phenolics on inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and colorectal cancer (CRC). Therefore, we aimed in this work to characterize the antiinflammatory and antiproliferative effects of a persimmon phenolic extract (80% acetone in water), using an in vivo model of experimental colitis and a model of cancer cell invasion. Our results show, for the first time, a beneficial effect of a persimmon phenolic extract in the attenuation of experimental colitis and a potential antiproliferative effect on cultured colon cancer cells. Administration of persimmon phenolic extract to mice with TNBS-induced colitis led to a reduction in several functional and histological markers of colon inflammation, namely: attenuation of colon length decrease, reduction of the extent of visible injury (ulcer formation), decrease in diarrhea severity, reduced mortality rate, reduction of mucosal hemorrhage and reduction of general histological features of colon inflammation. In vitro studies also showed that persimmon phenolic extract successfully impaired cell proliferation and invasion in HT-29 cells. Further investigation showed a decreased expression of COX-2 and iNOS in the colonic tissue of colitis mice, two important mediators of intestinal inflammation, but there was no inhibition of the gelatinase MMP-9 and MMP-2 activities. Given the role of inflammatory processes in the progression of CRC and the important link between inflammation and cancer, our results highlight the potential of persimmon polyphenols as a pharmacological tool in the treatment of patients with IBD.

Proteins in Soy Might Have a Higher Role in Cancer Prevention than Previously Expected: Soybean Protein Fractions Are More Effective MMP-9 Inhibitors Than Non-Protein Fractions, Even in Cooked Seeds

The search for anticancer MMP-9 inhibitors (MMPIs) in food products has become a major goal for research. MMPIs in soy have been related only to saponins and isoflavones, but recently, low specific protein fractions in soybeans were shown to reduce MMP-9 activity as well. The present work aimed at comparing the MMPI potential of protein fractions (P) and non-protein fractions (NP) isolated from soybean seeds, before and after soaking and cooking, mimicking dietary exposures. Reverse and substrate zymography, as well as a fluoregenic DQ gelatin assay were used to evaluate MMP-9 activities. Colon cancer cell migration and proliferation was also tested in HT29 cells. Regarding MMP-9 inhibition, proteins in soy presented IC₅₀ values 100 times lower than non-protein extracts, and remained active after cooking, suggesting that proteins may be more effective MMP-9 inhibitors than non-protein compounds. Using the determined IC₅₀ concentrations, NP fractions were able to induce higher inhibitions of HT29 cell migration and proliferation, but not through MMP-9 inhibition, whilst protein fractions were shown to specifically inhibit MMP-9 activity. Overall, our results show that protein fractions in soybeans might have a higher role in soy-related cancer prevention as MMPIs than previously expected. Being nontoxic and active at lower concentrations, the discovery of these heat-resistant specific MMPI proteins in soy can be of significant importance for cancer preventive diets, particularly considering the increasing use of soy proteins in food products and the controversy around isoflavones amongst consumers.

Flexibility is associated with motor competence in schoolchildren

Available data on the associations between motor competence (MC) and flexibility are limited and result inconclusive. This study aims to examine the relationship between flexibility and MC in children. The sample comprised 596 Portuguese children (47.1% girls) aged 9.7 ± 0.6 years. Motor competence was evaluated with the body coordination test, Körperkoordination Test für Kinder. Cardiorespiratory fitness (20-m shuttle run), muscular strength (curl-up and push-up tests), and flexibility (back-saver sit and reach and trunk-lift tests) were evaluated using the Fitnessgram Test Battery. Z-scores by age and gender for the physical fitness tests were constructed. Analysis of variance and regression analysis were performed. Participants in the healthy zone groups of both flexibility tests exhibited significantly better scores of MC than the participants under the healthy zone (P < 0.001). Back-saver sit and reach and trunk-lift Z-scores, either individually or as a sum, were significant predictors of MC (P < 0.05 for all) after adjustments for the other physical fitness components, age, body mass index, and socioeconomic status, in both genders. Our findings highlight the importance of promoting and developing flexibility, as well as the other health-related physical fitness components in schoolchildren to reach adequate levels of MC.

Association between serum adiponectin levels and muscular fitness in Portuguese adolescents: LabMed Physical Activity Study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Paradoxically, recent investigations have showed that adiponectin levels are inversely associated with muscle strength. However, to date, there is a lack of knowledge on the relationship between muscular fitness (MF) and adiponectin levels in adolescents. We aimed to examine the independent associations between MF and adiponectin levels in adolescents, controlling for several potential confounders.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This is a cross-sectional analysis with 529 Portuguese adolescents aged 12-18 years. A MF score was computed as the mean of the handgrip strength and standing long jump standardized values by age and gender. We measured fasting glucose, insulin, HDL-cholesterol, C-reactive protein and adiponectin. Linear regression analysis showed a significant inverse association between adiponectin (Z-score by age and sex) and MF score, after adjustments for age, sex, pubertal stage, socioeconomic status, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, body mass index, HOMA-IR, HDL-cholesterol, C-reactive protein and cardiorespiratory fitness (unstandardized β = -0.176; p < 0.005). Analysis of covariance showed a significant difference between the Low MF/Non-overweight group and the High MF/Non-overweight Group (p < 0.05) and between the Low MF/Non-overweight and High MF/Overweight Group (p < 0.05) (F (5, 523) = 2.262, p = 0.047).

CONCLUSION

Adiponectin circulating levels are inversely and independently associated with MF. In non-overweight adolescents, those with high levels of MF presented lower levels of adiponectin compared to those with Low MF. Likewise, overweight adolescents with High MF presented lower levels of serum adiponectin than non-overweight adolescents with Low MF.

California rocket fuel: And what about being a first line treatment?

Introduction

The association venlafaxine-mirtazapine is currently known as California Rocket Fuel (CRF). Studies show advantage in terms of efficacy and rapid control of depressive symptoms compared to other associations. Venlafaxine is a selective serotonin-noradrenalin reuptake inhibitor and mirtazapine is a noradrenergic-specific serotonergic antidepressant: the result is a potent noradrenergic and serotonergic effect. Studies say that CRF should be performed only for drug-resistant depression; however, there are case reports of its use as a first line treatment, in selected patients.

Objectives

To summarize the latest literature about this field and to present a case report.

Aim

To explore and critically review the controversies of venlafaxine-mirtazapine association as a first line antidepressants strategy.

Methods

A brief review of the latest literature was performed, using PubMed and the keywords “venlafaxine-mirtazapine association”. A case report about a depressed woman is presented.

Results

Despite most studies are referent to its utility in drug-resistant depression, there are recent pilot studies that recommend CRF as a first line option.

M., a 64-year-old woman, had her first psychiatric consultation. She had been depressed for 2 years, she lost 10 kg, had total insomnia and suicidal thoughts. CRF was started up to 150/15 mg, daily. An improvement was noticed after two weeks of treatment and the stabilization of depressive symptoms were achieved by the fourth month.

Conclusions

CRF seems to be effective and useful. Patients with insomnia and weight loss may benefit from CRF as a first line option. However, more studies are needed.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Chronic psychiatric changes in a severe post-traumatic brain injury patient

Introduction

Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes neuropsychiatric disturbances. Emotional and personality disturbances seem to cause much more seriously handicap than residual cognitive or physical disabilities. The prognosis may be poor associated with marked social impairment, so a multidisciplinary approach team is required in order to improve patient's quality of life and reintegration in family and society.

Objectives

To summarize the latest literature about this field and to present a case report.

Aim

To explore and learn more about chronic psychiatric changes in severe post-traumatic brain injury and share with the scientific community how challenging the approach of this entity can be.

Methods

A brief review of the latest literature was performed, using PubMed and the keywords “traumatic brain injury” and “psychiatric changes”. A case report is presented.

Results

Although SSRI, benzodiazepines, mood stabilizers and antipsychotics are commonly used, new options are reported such as methylphenidate and cholinesterase inhibitors. The presented patient, a 27-year-old male, began with neuropsychiatric disturbances after a work-related fall from 9 meters high: convulsions and alcohol compulsive drinking. Three years have passed and his changes are still difficult to approach. Besides other medication, such as benzodiazepines and mood stabilizers, flufenazine injections and naltrexone seemed to be determinant in his behaviour and mood stabilization. He is also on a long-term alcoholism programme.

Conclusions

Although the understanding of TBI-associated neuropsychiatric disorders has improved in the last decade, further research is needed, such as randomized-controlled studies to study new pharmacological and non-pharmacological approach.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Electroconvulsive therapy in schizophrenia – where do we stand?

Introduction

Electroconvulsive therapy is currently used in the management of severe depression, long-term mania and catatonia. Regarding schizophrenia-related psychosis ECT is also an option, but the indication is restrictive to severe cases, drug intolerance or resistant ones. Lack of evidence of cost-effectiveness compared to clozapine, and side effects of ECT techniques before 2003, influenced NICE guidance to not recommend ECT in schizophrenia, but modern ECT machines and procedures are subsequent to 2003. ECT is often performed when clozapine fails to respond in monotherapy or if there is intolerance to antipsychotic side effects. ECT in combination with clozapine seems to have significant results allowing the patients to achieve rapid control of psychotic symptoms with fewer side effects, comparing with antipsychotics-association strategies.

Objectives

To summarized the latest literature about this field and to present recent data from the Electrovulsivetherapy Unit, in Hospital de Magalhães Lemos, Portugal.

Aim

To explore and critically review the controversies of electroconvulsive therapy in the management of drug-resistant schizophrenia.

Methods

Retrospective data of an Electroconvulsive Therapy Unit during 2006–2015 was review.

Results

198 ECT treatments in schizophrenic patients were performed in our unit, during 2006–2007, in a total of 647 ECT (30,6%). In 2014–2015, 945 schizophrenic patients received ECT treatment, in a total of 2149 performed ECT (43,9%).

Conclusions

Although guidelines are crucial for the uniform practice of medicine, sometimes is important to be critical about them. The use of ECT in schizophrenia is safe and effective and further research is needed to continue to support this treatment.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Cutaneous biocompatible rutin-loaded gelatin-based nanoparticles increase the SPF of the association of UVA and UVB filters

The encapsulation of natural ingredients, such as rutin, can offer improvements in sun protection effectiveness. This strategy can provide enhanced flavonoid content and produces an improved bioactive compound with new physical and functional characteristics. As an alternative to common synthetic-based sunscreens, rutin-entrapped gelatin nanoparticles (GNPs) were designed and associated with ethylhexyl dimethyl PABA (EHDP), ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (EHMC) and methoxydibenzoylmethane (BMDBM) in sunscreen formulations. The purpose of this study was to develop rutin-loaded gelatin nanoparticles and characterize their physicochemical, thermal, functional and safety properties. Rutin-loaded gelatin nanoparticles increased antioxidant activity by 74% relative to free-rutin (FR) solution. Also, this new ingredient upgraded the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) by 48%, indicating its potential as a raw material for bioactive sunscreens. The safety profile indicated that GNPs and glutaraldehyde (GTA) decreased HaCaT cell viability in a concentration/time-dependent manner. However, both blank nanoparticles (B-NC) and rutin-loaded nanoparticles (R-NC) had good performance on skin compatibility tests. These results functionally characterized rutin-loaded nanoparticles as a safe SPF enhancer in sunscreens, especially in association with UV filters.

Physical Activity, Sitting Time and Mortality in Older Adults with Diabetes

The purpose of this study was to examine the independent and combined association of physical activity (PA) and sitting time (ST) with all-cause mortality in older adults with diabetes. A total of 611 individuals representative of the Spanish diabetic population aged ≥ 60 years. Participants were selected in 2000/2001 and were prospectively followed-up through 2011. PA and ST were self-reported at baseline. Study associations were summarized as hazard ratios (HR) and their 95% confidence interval (CI). During a mean follow-up of 8.3 years, 282 deaths occurred. The HR (95% CI) of mortality for very/moderately active individuals compared to those who were inactive/less active was 0.59 (0.45, 0.78). The association between ST and mortality was non-linear (P<0.001 in spline analysis), and mortality was increased only among individuals who reported a ST>8 h/day (HR=1.77, 95% CI 1.25, 2.52). The HR (95% CI) of mortality was 0.50 (0.32, 0.77) in participants who either were very/moderately active or had ST≤8 h/day, and 0.32 (0.20, 0.50) in those with both health behaviors, compared to those with none of these behaviors. In conclusion, among older adults with diabetes, high PA and less ST are independently and jointly associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality.